Venison Medallions With A Smoked Bacon And White Bean Ragout With A Creole Mustard Sauce

Yield: 4 servings

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Ingredients

2 pound venison loin

Salt

Freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme

3 tablespoons chopped garlic

1 cup olive oil

1 cup white wine

1/4 cup minced shallots

1/2 cup Creole mustard

2 cups demi-glace

6 ounces chopped bacon

1/2 cup minced onions

2 cups chiffonade of fresh spinach

1/2 pound Cannellini Beans, cooked until tender

1 large onion, cut into thin rings

1/2 cup Crystal hot sauce

1 cup flour

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Cut the loin into 8-ounce medallions. Season with salt and pepper. In a mixing bowl, whisk the thyme, garlic and olive oil together. Place the venison in a large Zip-lock bag. Pour the marinade over the venison. Seal the bag completely. Place the bag in the refrigerator and marinate overnight. Remove the venison from the marinade. Heat a large saute pan, over medium heat. When the pan is hot, add the venison and sear for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Remove from the pan and place on a parchment lined baking sheet and set aside.

Place the venison in the oven and roast for 6 to 8 minutes for medium rare. In a saucepan, over high heat, add the white wine, shallots and mustard. Bring the liquid to a boil and reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the mixture reduces by 1/2, about 4 minutes. Whisk in the demi-glace. In another large saute pan, over medium heat, render the bacon until crispy, about 5 minutes. Add the onions. Season with black pepper. Saute for 2 minutes. Add the remaining garlic and spinach and continue to saute for 2 minutes. Add the beans. Season with salt and pepper. Continue to saute for 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside, keeping warm. Remove from the oven and rest for a couple of minutes before slicing. Season the onions with salt and pepper. Toss the onions in the hot sauce. Season the flour with Essence. Dredge the onions in the seasoned flour, coating completely. Fry the onions until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels. Season with Essence. To serve, slice each medallion into 1/2-inch pieces. Spoon the sauce in the center of each plate. Spoon the relish in the center of the sauce. Fan out the venison around the relish. Pile the onions in the center of the relish. Garnish with parsley.